Clearfield Launches New Fiber Management Products: Clearview Blue and FieldSmart FxHD

Latest Generation Cassette Extends Ease of Access and Density of Entire FieldSmart Architecture; FieldSmart FxHD Reduces Cost of Real Estate Required by as Much as 41%

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD), the specialist in fiber management and connectivity platforms for communications providers, today announced the release of two new fiber management products designed to improve density and ease of fiber access enabling customers to scale operations along with growing subscriber revenues. Clearview Blue, the latest generation Clearview Cassette, and FieldSmart FxHD, the highest density fiber distribution system in the industry, extend Clearfield's commitment to maximizing all product designs for modularity and scalability.

With its integrated slack management, cable routing and compatibility with the entire FieldSmart architecture, Clearview Blue provides superior performance with minimal risk of fiber damage. FieldSmart FxHD utilizes Clearview Blue's user-defined "Blue Building Blocks" to align desired cable counts and scale to the highest density in the industry.

"Density has always been a critical factor in fiber design. Clearview Blue delivers not only the highest density options in the industry, but sets the standard for access, protection, and reduced labor time," comments Johnny Hill, chief operating officer for Clearfield. "And our new FieldSmart FxHD leverages Clearview Blue to make it possible for head-ends, central offices and data centers to deploy more ports per square foot and reduce the cost of real estate by more than 40%."

Clearview Blue

Designed for the utmost in modularity and scalability, Clearview Blue is used across the FieldSmart architecture, providing superior fiber protection from the inside plant, through the outside plant and into the access network of panels, frames, outside plant cabinets and wallboxes. Deployed as a 12-port self-contained fiber management device, service providers can stock a single fiber management component for all environments. By reducing inventory levels, and technician training and installation time, the basic principles of fiber management are promoted without exposure to environmental hazards or human interaction. Clearview Blue offers:

• A smaller footprint that minimizes space requirements, reducing the cost of deployment.
• Flexibility and a simple snap together design that saves time and accelerates turn-up.
• 10 feet of integrated slack storage and splicing functionality resulting in reduced labor time and ultimate space savings.
• Building Block packaging that offers compatibility with the FieldSmart FxHD panel and extends Clearfield's ongoing commitment to providing customer-led configurability in all of its designs.
• Flexibility and reliable performance in the toughest operating environments in the access network, central office and in the field.

FieldSmart FxHD

FieldSmart FxHD utilizes Clearview Blue with a user-defined "Blue Building Block" approach that enables the service provider to align desired cable counts and scale to the highest density in the industry. The number of ports housed per square foot is improved by more than 40%, reducing the real estate cost by $.75 per port per year. For a central office of 20,000 ports, an annual savings of $15,000 is targeted.

"Our office was excited to hear that Clearfield was developing the FieldSmart FxHD high density fiber frame," said Steven Weaver, senior project engineer for Mid-State Consultants. "As our clients turn towards utilizing Active Ethernet solutions and higher fiber counts we, in turn, are looking to provide high density fiber solutions for our customers. Thanks to Clearfield for being a part of that solution."

FieldSmart FxHD offers:

• A modular and space maximizing frame solution. At a floor footprint of 18" x 36", the FieldSmart FxHD can house 2,016 ports in 4.5 square foot footprint. The unit provides for rear access, but can be fully deployed using a front access only approach, minimizing required aisle space and maximizing the utilization of real estate.
• Cable routing integrity that maximizes proper slack storage of any jumper length. An integrated "W" intra-bay route path greatly reduces the chance of improper jumper tie-in or weaving. Upper and lower troughs support a combined 6600 jumpers for inter-bay routing with left and right exit paths. Fold down lower trough door allows for complete access while providing superior physical fiber protection when closed.   
• Easily deployed alongside other FieldSmart frame solutions or competitive alternatives for an easy bay-line up migration or growth strategy.

Shipping and Availability

Clearview Blue and FieldSmart FxHD are currently available from Clearfield and its network of distribution partners for immediate shipping. Clearview Blue can be purchased individually or assembled in Clearview Building Blocks of two or more cassettes (24 ports or more) to configure to exact port count specifications. Installation for FieldSmart FxHD is compatible alongside current generation FxDS frame line-ups as well as other 19" or 23" frame solutions. For further information, contact your Clearfield sales representative or visit www.ClearfieldConnection.com.

About Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD) designs, manufactures and distributes fiber optic management products for the communications networks of leading ILECS, CLECs, MSO/cable TV companies and mobile broadband providers. We help service providers solve the Fiber Puzzle, which is how to reduce high costs associated with deploying, managing, protecting and scaling a fiber optic network to deliver the mobile, residential and business services customers want. Based on the patented Clearview™ Cassette, our unique single-architected, modular fiber management platform is designed to lower the cost of broadband deployment and maintenance by consolidating, protecting and distributing incoming and outgoing fiber circuits and enable our customers to scale their operations as their subscriber revenues increase. Headquartered in Plymouth, MN, Clearfield deploys millions of fiber ports each year throughout North America.

About Mid-States Consultants

Mid-State Consulting LLC. provides complete Information Technology support bringing experience with network and user support, association management systems, strategic IT planning, web site strategies, and more including: Onsite and Remote IT Management, Virtualization, Cloud Management. Technology Consulting, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning, as well as 24 hour Remote Monitoring and Help Desk Support.

CONTACT: Clearfield PR Contact
         Christy Kemp
         Calysto Communications
         Tel: + 1 404 266 2060 x539
         ckemp@calysto.com

Released September 18, 2012